Digital Camera News and Reviews

Updates from the camera world



Month: July, 2009

Dell 2230d laser printer test / review by Printer Comparison

10 July, 2009 (12:10) | Dell, Printer, Review | By: Camera News

Dell 2230d
Dell 2230d

Printer Comparison has reviewed the Dell 2230d laser printer. The printer is able to print up to 35 pages per minute and at a resolution up to 1200 x 1200 dpi.

Some key features for the Dell 2230d printer:
-Print speed up to 35 pages per minute
-Print resolution up to 1200 x 1200 dpi
-High duty cycle of up to 35,000 pages per month
-Automatic duplexing
-250-sheet paper drawer
-32 MB memory standard

Printer Comparison ends up giving the Dell 2230d a good review as the printer is able to make fast prints and has full duplexing. There are a few downsides like no network capability and no display on the printer so if you need that in your printer you should probably look at another one.
Read the full review of the Dell 2230d printer here.

Sony announces Full HD digital camcorder Sony HDR-CX520V

10 July, 2009 (11:24) | Camcorder, Sony | By: Camera News

Sony HDR-CX500V
Sony HDR-CX500V

Sony has announced two new Full HD digital camcorders. One of them is called Sony HDR-CX520V and is able to record full 1920×1080 high-definition video and take 12 megapixel still photos. It also has Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode and a built-in GPS antenna. The only thing that differ the Sony HDR-CX500V from the HDR-CX520V is that the 500V feature 32GB of built-in memory while the 520V has 64Gb memory.

Some key features for the Sony HDR-CX520V:
-Full 1920×1080 high-definition video
-12 megapixel still photos
-60p output
-Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode
-Built-in GPS antenna
-64GB of internal flash memory

The Sony HDR-CX520V camcorder will be available in September 2009 and cost about $1300.

Press release:
SONY UNVEILS NEW FLASH MEMORY CAMCORDERS WITH ADVANCED OPTICS, NEW TECHNOLOGY

SAN DIEGO, July 7, 2009 – Sony today announced its new HDR-CX520V and HDR-CX500V Handycam® camcorders, which capture full1920x1080 high-definition video and up to 12-megapixel photos on a 64GB or 32GB internal flash memory, respectively, offering up to 25 hours of HD video (LP mode).

“These models combine the best in digital imaging technology, strengthening Sony’s industry leadership and meeting demand for both quality camcorders and HD video,” said Kelly Davis, director of the camcorder business for Sony Electronics. “Expanding our lineup to include Handycam camcorders with large capacity embedded flash memory allows us to offer consumers flexible recording solutions concentrated in a very portable, compact body.”

Advanced Features and Performance

For optimal playback, the HDR-CX520V and HDR-CX500V camcorders feature 60p output, which automatically converts content to 60 progressive frames per second when connected to a compatible high-definition television.

Another notable feature, Optical SteadyShot™ with Active Mode (which allows a moveable lens element to shift with greater range of motion during camera shake) now offers 3-Way Shake Canceling. This feature reduces hand shake in three directions – vertical and horizontal shake corrected by optical image stabilization and the third, by way of electronic image stabilization, facilitates correction for lateral-roll shake. By employing a wider camera shake correction angle and improved compensation algorithms, blur caused by rolling wrist movements is reduced so users can shoot smoother movie footage on the move.

Prime Functionality

Sony’s powerful BIONZ™ imaging processor is adding a Face Touch function. With Face Touch, users can select a person to be prioritized by the camcorder simply by touching a detected face on the screen.The camcorders prioritize and optimize focus, skin color, and brightness for the selected individual, even if they leave the scene, for the entire recording session. This new feature is a function of Face Detection, which also incorporates Smile Shutter™ technology to capture candid smiling photos while simultaneously recording video. When Face Touch is activated, the Smile Shutter feature only activates automatically in response to the smiles of the selected person.

These models also have a back-illuminated “Exmor R” CMOS sensor to provide stunning low light performance with approximately twice the sensitivity compared to Sony’s existing front-illuminated CMOS sensor at F2.0. The sophisticated G lens fuses advanced optics and low dispersion aspheric glass elements for accurate color reproduction and sharp, detailed images. A six-blade aperture produces circular “bokeh” defocus effects for creative shooting possibilities.

To effortlessly track your destinations on a map, the camcorder’s built-in GPS antenna and NAVTEQ® digital maps geo-tag your videos and photos. Geo-tagged content is marked by a virtual push pin at each shot location and can be played back on the camcorder map index display on the three-inch (measured diagonally) wide touch panel LCD.

Introducing new technology to down-convert from AVCHD™ to MPEG2, Sony eliminates the need for a PC and allows for simple DVD creation with the optional DVDirect Express (VRD-P1) DVD writer.

When the camcorders are connected to the DVDirect Express (sold separately for around $150) via a USB cable, they will instantly burn HD video footage onto a DVD. The camcorder can even down-convert content and burn DVDs in standard-definition picture quality, providing familyographers a way to “future proof” their memories. The down conversion feature allows owners of standard-definition players to capture video in the highest quality and have the option of playing in standard-definition now or saving HD content for when they upgrade to a Blu-ray disk player at a later time.

Other powerful features include a built-in zoom microphone with Dolby® Digital 5.1-channel surround sound and an instant power-on feature when the LCD is opened that lets you capture the moment without delay. The camcorders’ advanced user interface features a new operation bar, which allows scroll searching for all menu items, and a customizable shortcut menu. Improving upon the Highlight Playback feature that personalizes video footage by generating a video slideshow with theme transitions and background music, Sony introduces Highlight Scenario, which saves up to eight highlight scenes for viewing again later. These models also include Picture Motion Browser software to easily view, edit, organize and upload images to many major video and photo sharing Web sites. Mac users can transfer AVCHD recorded data and edit video clips in HD image quality using iMovie software.

In addition to built-in flash memory, the models can record content to optional Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ HX media (currently sold separately in capacities up to 16GB, a 32GB card will be available in September). Using Sony’s PRO-HG Duo HX format, consumers can transfer nearly two hours of full high-definition video to a PC in approximately 13 minutes (using supplied adapter).

Price and Availability

The HDR-CX500V and HDR-CX520V, will be available in September for about $1,100 and $1,300 respectively. They will be available at Sony Style® retail stores, online through http://www.sonystyle.com and at authorized dealers nationwide.

Sony announces Full HD digital camcorder Sony HDR-CX500V

10 July, 2009 (11:22) | Camcorder, Sony | By: Camera News

Sony HDR-CX500V
Sony HDR-CX500V

Sony has announced two new Full HD digital camcorders. One of them is called Sony HDR-CX500V and is able to record full 1920×1080 high-definition video and take 12 megapixel still photos. It also has Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode and a built-in GPS antenna. The only thing that differ the Sony HDR-CX500V from the HDR-CX520V is that the 500V feature 32GB of built-in memory while the 520V has 64Gb memory.

Some key features for the Sony HDR-CX500V:
-Full 1920×1080 high-definition video
-12 megapixel still photos
-60p output
-Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode
-Built-in GPS antenna
-32GB of internal flash memory

The Sony HDR-CX500V camcorder will be available in September 2009 and cost about $1100.

Press release:
SONY UNVEILS NEW FLASH MEMORY CAMCORDERS WITH ADVANCED OPTICS, NEW TECHNOLOGY

SAN DIEGO, July 7, 2009 – Sony today announced its new HDR-CX520V and HDR-CX500V Handycam® camcorders, which capture full1920x1080 high-definition video and up to 12-megapixel photos on a 64GB or 32GB internal flash memory, respectively, offering up to 25 hours of HD video (LP mode).

“These models combine the best in digital imaging technology, strengthening Sony’s industry leadership and meeting demand for both quality camcorders and HD video,” said Kelly Davis, director of the camcorder business for Sony Electronics. “Expanding our lineup to include Handycam camcorders with large capacity embedded flash memory allows us to offer consumers flexible recording solutions concentrated in a very portable, compact body.”

Advanced Features and Performance

For optimal playback, the HDR-CX520V and HDR-CX500V camcorders feature 60p output, which automatically converts content to 60 progressive frames per second when connected to a compatible high-definition television.

Another notable feature, Optical SteadyShot™ with Active Mode (which allows a moveable lens element to shift with greater range of motion during camera shake) now offers 3-Way Shake Canceling. This feature reduces hand shake in three directions – vertical and horizontal shake corrected by optical image stabilization and the third, by way of electronic image stabilization, facilitates correction for lateral-roll shake. By employing a wider camera shake correction angle and improved compensation algorithms, blur caused by rolling wrist movements is reduced so users can shoot smoother movie footage on the move.

Prime Functionality

Sony’s powerful BIONZ™ imaging processor is adding a Face Touch function. With Face Touch, users can select a person to be prioritized by the camcorder simply by touching a detected face on the screen.The camcorders prioritize and optimize focus, skin color, and brightness for the selected individual, even if they leave the scene, for the entire recording session. This new feature is a function of Face Detection, which also incorporates Smile Shutter™ technology to capture candid smiling photos while simultaneously recording video. When Face Touch is activated, the Smile Shutter feature only activates automatically in response to the smiles of the selected person.

These models also have a back-illuminated “Exmor R” CMOS sensor to provide stunning low light performance with approximately twice the sensitivity compared to Sony’s existing front-illuminated CMOS sensor at F2.0. The sophisticated G lens fuses advanced optics and low dispersion aspheric glass elements for accurate color reproduction and sharp, detailed images. A six-blade aperture produces circular “bokeh” defocus effects for creative shooting possibilities.

To effortlessly track your destinations on a map, the camcorder’s built-in GPS antenna and NAVTEQ® digital maps geo-tag your videos and photos. Geo-tagged content is marked by a virtual push pin at each shot location and can be played back on the camcorder map index display on the three-inch (measured diagonally) wide touch panel LCD.

Introducing new technology to down-convert from AVCHD™ to MPEG2, Sony eliminates the need for a PC and allows for simple DVD creation with the optional DVDirect Express (VRD-P1) DVD writer.

When the camcorders are connected to the DVDirect Express (sold separately for around $150) via a USB cable, they will instantly burn HD video footage onto a DVD. The camcorder can even down-convert content and burn DVDs in standard-definition picture quality, providing familyographers a way to “future proof” their memories. The down conversion feature allows owners of standard-definition players to capture video in the highest quality and have the option of playing in standard-definition now or saving HD content for when they upgrade to a Blu-ray disk player at a later time.

Other powerful features include a built-in zoom microphone with Dolby® Digital 5.1-channel surround sound and an instant power-on feature when the LCD is opened that lets you capture the moment without delay. The camcorders’ advanced user interface features a new operation bar, which allows scroll searching for all menu items, and a customizable shortcut menu. Improving upon the Highlight Playback feature that personalizes video footage by generating a video slideshow with theme transitions and background music, Sony introduces Highlight Scenario, which saves up to eight highlight scenes for viewing again later. These models also include Picture Motion Browser software to easily view, edit, organize and upload images to many major video and photo sharing Web sites. Mac users can transfer AVCHD recorded data and edit video clips in HD image quality using iMovie software.

In addition to built-in flash memory, the models can record content to optional Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ HX media (currently sold separately in capacities up to 16GB, a 32GB card will be available in September). Using Sony’s PRO-HG Duo HX format, consumers can transfer nearly two hours of full high-definition video to a PC in approximately 13 minutes (using supplied adapter).

Price and Availability

The HDR-CX500V and HDR-CX520V, will be available in September for about $1,100 and $1,300 respectively. They will be available at Sony Style® retail stores, online through http://www.sonystyle.com and at authorized dealers nationwide.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25 test / review by Digital Camera Review

10 July, 2009 (09:23) | Compact Camera, Panasonic, Review | By: Camera News

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25

Digital Camera Review has tested the compact camera Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25. This digital camera has some nice features like 12.1 megapixels, 5x optical zoom lens and a large 3″ LCD screen.

Some key features for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25:
-12.1 megapixel sensor
-3″ LCD screen
-5x optical zoom (29 – 145mm)
-50MB built in memory
-AF tracking
-ISO sensitivity up to 6400

Digital Camera Review ends up giving the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25 a pretty average conclusion as the pictures that this camera produces are of hit or miss quality. Sometimes you get pictures of high quality, but often you will get pictures of lower quality. There are some positive sides to this Panasonic camera like easiness of use and stylish design, but the autofocus is slow and there is a bit of noise at higher ISO levels.
Read the full review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25 camera here.


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